Short answer
Does the part need to withstand heat, impact and hard use, and do you have a printer with a heated bed? Then ABS is a strong choice. If you want the easiest possible print, choose PLA, and if you need moisture and chemical resistance without an enclosure, PETG is often easier to work with.
What is ABS? The short answer
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a tough, impact-resistant filament that withstands higher temperatures than PLA and PETG. It is a classic choice for functional parts and industrial applications, but it needs a heated bed and preferably an enclosure because it tends to warp.
Tough & heat-resistant
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Best for: Functional parts, housings & parts that get hot
- Impact-resistant & tough
- Withstands higher temperatures than PLA and PETG
- Can be post-processed and sanded
- Proven in industry
Needs the right conditions
Heated bed & enclosure
Less suited to: Beginners & open printers in draughty rooms
- Warps more easily than PLA and PETG
- Needs a hot bed (90–110 °C)
- Benefits from an enclosed space
- Good ventilation recommended
Rule of thumb: Does the part need to withstand heat, impact and hard use, and do you have a printer with a heated bed? Then ABS is a strong choice. If you want the easiest possible print, choose PLA, and if you need moisture and chemical resistance without an enclosure, PETG is often easier to work with.
Advantages and what to bear in mind
Impact-resistant & tough. Withstands higher temperatures than PLA and PETG.
Can be post-processed. Sandable and proven in industry.
Warps more easily than PLA and PETG. Needs a hot bed (90–110 °C) and does well in an enclosure. Good ventilation is recommended.
ABS in practice
ABS is printed hot, at 230–260 °C with a bed temperature of 90–110 °C. The hot bed is important because ABS shrinks as it cools, and that shrinkage is what can make corners lift from the bed. A closed printer that keeps the heat even around the print makes a big difference. Print at a somewhat lower speed, around 40–90 mm/s, so the layers have time to bond properly. How to get on top of warping step by step is covered in How to print ABS.
With the right conditions, ABS rewards you with strong, tough parts. The material can also be post-processed, sanded and glued in a way that suits parts that need to look finished.
According to our data sheets, ABS measures 60 MPa in tensile strength and has an elongation at break of a full 34 percent, which means the material can bend a fair way before it breaks. That toughness makes ABS impact-resistant and good at handling parts subjected to repeated loading. The density is low, 1.04 g/cm³, so finished parts are relatively light.
The biggest advantage of ABS over PLA and PETG is its heat resistance. That makes the material suitable for parts exposed to heat, for example in vehicles or near electronics. If you want similar toughness but better UV and weather resistance outdoors, ASA is a natural alternative.
Technical data
The table summarises the key figures from our data sheets, with PLA as the reference. Exact values may vary slightly between colours and variants.
When should you choose ABS?
Vårt ABS filament finns i flera varianter, inklusive transparent samt carbon fiber och glass fiber för extra styvhet, till ett lika förmånligt pris som resten av sortimentet. Vill du jämföra med de enklare materialen kan du läsa PLA vs PETG, PETG vs ABS eller ASA vs ABS.
→ Choose ABS
When the part needs to be functional, withstand heat, and cope with impact and hard use. Housings, brackets, parts near heat sources and prototypes that will be post-processed. Provided you have a printer with a heated bed.
→ Choose something else
If you want the easiest possible print, choose PLA. If you need moisture and chemical resistance without an enclosure, PETG is easier to work with. If the part will be outdoors, ASA is better for UV and weather.
Frequently asked questions about ABS
Why does ABS warp?
ABS shrinks as it cools, and uneven cooling makes the corners contract and lift from the bed. A hot bed (90–110 °C) and an enclosure that keeps the heat even counteract this effectively.
Do I need an enclosed printer for ABS?
It is not an absolute requirement, but it is strongly recommended. An enclosure keeps the temperature even around the print, which reduces warping and makes the result considerably more reliable. Good ventilation is also preferable.
Is ABS stronger than PLA?
In pure tensile strength they are close (ABS 60 MPa, PLA 63 MPa according to our data sheets), but ABS is considerably tougher, with an elongation at break of 34 percent against PLA's 5.2 percent. That makes ABS more impact-resistant and better for parts exposed to knocks and heat.
ABS or PETG?
PETG is easier to print and needs no enclosure, while also resisting moisture and chemicals well. ABS withstands higher temperatures and can be post-processed. If the part needs to handle heat, choose ABS; if you want an easier print, choose PETG.
ABS in 23+ shades, from 125 SEK
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